We see the word "crisis" constantly thrown around in text and news articles, but I want to know the reality of the situation for the average person living in Russia. I understand almost nothing about the financial markets, and my investments are all handled by stockbrokers with expertise in the area. Yet I go to the gas station each week and see the gas prices continually drop, which is great for me given that I commute a very long distance to work now. Travel is also less costly with the strength of the dollar, whereas many Russian friends no longer can afford to go abroad due to the continual decrease in the ruble. So, are all of these stories on LJ simply written by alarmists and pessimists, or do you feel there's a real crisis now in Russia as a result of sanctions and economics, which dramatically impacts your life? If so, in what way? Do you have hope for improvement in 2016?

I started to forget the view of babushkas going to supermarkets and counting every kopeck, which they do not have enough to buy simple food. Last time I saw them was in 90-ies. Almost in every family surronding me one person lost a job in 2014 and remains jobless. Supermarkets changed the products they are offering towards cheaper ones. By the way, gas is getting more expensive day by day.

Currently people don't yet have a sufficient sense of crisis. Money became less, but many things have been purchased previously and still not come into disrepair. Then, when people come to the need to buy new shoes, a computer, a battery for the car, then many will enjoy the fullness of sensations.

My wife just has bought a pair of shoes with great discount.It is mostly a sellers' problem now who cannot make 300% profit on import anymore.

Before the crisis Lego in Moscow cost almost 2 times more than in USA.IKEA in Moscow also was one of the most expensive in the world.This is something wrong with it.I hope now they will be forced to have lower prices of leave the market.

My total income is down 3x from 2013. In $.In the end 2013 i planned to buy new flat new car in two years(2014-2015).No it's impossible.

Sales of cars and real property are down.Nobody buys.

The fucking goverment stealing all money from people:Salary is down. Taxes are up.Cost of gas, water and another public servies cost is up and running to the hell.Pension is not up.Corruption, robberies, angry migrants from Asia.

And all russian deputies, ministers and another rich people says: Obama - guilty. USA is evil.

You should ask people, who live outside of Moscow, because Moscow is a different country. It is just huge money pump from other. If regional budget has only 20% local income, and all other come from centre, it means they will always struggle to survive and crisis strikes there first